A new study by the University of Washington shows your exposure to the chemicals phthalates and bisphenol A, better known as BPA, might be much higher from organic foods. Researchers speculated that containers and other plastic items used higher in the food chain could be the source of the chemicals.

A landmark Stanford University study published late 2012 found that organic food has no nutritional advantage over conventional food. So, if you're into organics for nutrients and personal health, it's not worth the extra money. If you care about pesticides, antibiotics and the earth, a different story.

A landmark Stanford University study published late 2012 found that organic food has no nutritional advantage over conventional food. So, if you're into organics for nutrients and personal health, it's

Who cares about oldsters. What about kids? Organic food is definitely more nutritious for their developing bodies and brains.

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Who cares about oldsters. What about kids? Organic food is definitely more nutritious for their developing bodies and brains.

Photo: STR, .

TRUE OR FALSE: Who cares about oldsters. What about kids? Organic...photo-3640605.51314 - |ucfirst

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The American Academy of Pediatrics weighed in on organics for the first time in October 2012. They echoed Stanford's nutrition findings, saying there's no evidence that organic food leads to better health or less disease. But they said organics have less pesticide and drug-resistant bacteria (in meat), which "may be significant" for kids.

The American Academy of Pediatrics weighed in on organics for the first time in October 2012. They echoed Stanford's nutrition findings, saying there's no evidence that organic food leads to better health

FALSE: The American Academy of Pediatric s weighed in on...photo-3640604.51314 - |ucfirst

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So organic food isn't more more nutritious. But that super-expensive organic milk is healthier than regular milk, because it doesn't have bovine growth hormone.

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So organic food isn't more more nutritious. But that super-expensive organic milk is healthier than regular milk, because it doesn't have bovine growth hormone.

Photo: Tim Boyle, .

TRUE OR FALSE: So organic food isn't more more nutritious....photo-3640603.51314 - |ucfirst

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The American Academy of Pediatrics said pricey organic milk has no significant health benefits for kids over regular milk. The group said cow growth hormone - a concern for many parents - doesn't affect humans, and that pasteurization kills most of it anyway. And most retailers no longer sell regular milk with the hormone, largely due to customer fears.

The American Academy of Pediatrics said pricey organic milk has no significant health benefits for kids over regular milk. The group said cow growth hormone - a concern for many parents - doesn't affect

"Uncured," "organic," and "no added nitrates or nitrites" hot dogs and bacon often use a natural preservative, usually celery powder or juice. Both those ingredients are high in nitrate, which gets converted into nitrite. So natural dogs have the same cancer-linked compound as regular ones.

If you drink a lot of coffee, you'll die sooner than coffee abstainers. R.I.P., latte lovers.

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If you drink a lot of coffee, you'll die sooner than coffee abstainers. R.I.P., latte lovers.

Photo: STAN HONDA, .

TRUE OR FALSE: If you drink a lot of coffee, you'll die...photo-3640596.51314 - |ucfirst

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Older studies that linked coffee to cancer and heart disease often didn't control for smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise. But a recent government study found that frequent coffee drinkers may live longer than non-coffee drinkers.

The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine in June, found that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of dying from a bunch of different diseases than non-coffee drinkers. But like with everything, moderation is key.

Older studies that linked coffee to cancer and heart disease often didn't control for smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise. But a recent government study found that frequent coffee drinkers may live

TRUE OR FALSE: You'll live longer if you stick to a...photo-3640594.51314 - |ucfirst

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Dieting monkeys in a study published in Nature this year were healthier than non-dieting monkeys, with less of risk of cancer and possibly diabetes. But they didn't live any longer. How restricted was their diet? It contained 30 percent fewer calories than normal.

FALSE: Dieting monkeys in a study published in Nature this year...photo-3640593.51314 - |ucfirst

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You have to eat a lot of chocolate every day to reap its health benefits.

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You have to eat a lot of chocolate every day to reap its health benefits.

Photo: JOHN THYS, .

TRUE OR FALSE: You have to eat a lot of chocolate every day to...photo-3640590.51314 - |ucfirst

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Many studies have shown that chocolate, especially the darker kind, is linked to lower blood pressure, thinner waistlines and less risk of stroke and heart disease. But the exact amount of chocolate needed to get those benefits is fuzzy. You know what doctors always say, though: Eat in moderation.

, to a point. Green tea is touted as a cardiovascular tonic, due to compounds thought to block cholesterol absorption. A review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition last year found that LDL ("bad cholesterol") levels did fall in long-time green tea drinkers. But only by very little.

TRUE , to a point. Green tea is touted as a cardiovascular tonic,...photo-3640587.51314 - |ucfirst

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Only eat and harvest shellfish in months that have the letter "r."

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Only eat and harvest shellfish in months that have the letter "r."

Photo: Chris Graythen, .

TRUE OR FALSE: Only eat and harvest shellfish in months that have...photo-3640584.51314 - |ucfirst

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Whether or not shellfish is toxic has nothing to do with time of year. According to the Washington state Department of Health, this myth was once an 18th century law in New Jersey, when shellfish without refrigeration spoiled in the summer (months with no "r").

Whether or not shellfish is toxic has nothing to do with time of year. According to the Washington state Department of Health, this myth was once an 18th century law in New Jersey, when shellfish without

: This long-held recommendation is believed to have stemmed from the '40s, when adults were supposed to drink 2.5 liters of water a day. These days, health experts say you should drink enough to quench your thirst.

: This long-held recommendation is believed to have stemmed from the '40s, when adults were supposed to drink 2.5 liters of water a day. These days, health experts say you should drink enough to quench your